Prashant P. Sharma

Homoplastic evolution of proximal podomere patterning across Arthropoda

The paper examines proximal podomere patterning in sea spiders and arachnids, finding homoplastic evolution of gene expression patterns that challenges assumptions about leg segment homology.

Genomic expansion in the dark: A repeat-rich genome of a cave-dwelling remipede sheds light on the evolution of the hexapod sister group.

This paper presents the first high-quality genome assembly of a cave-dwelling remipede, revealing a repeat-rich genome with extensive gene family turnover and phylogenetic signals.

Pax6 homologs are required for patterning both visual systems of the daddy-longlegs Phalangium opilio

This study shows Pax6 homologs are required for patterning both visual systems in the daddy-longlegs Phalangium opilio, with double knockdown causing median eye defects and loss of vestigial eyes.

Comparative genomics of the unusual arachnid order Solifugae spotlight the molecular and genetic basis for adaptations to arid habitats

This study uses comparative genomics to identify molecular adaptations in solifuges, revealing positive selection in gene families related to metabolism and detoxification.

No silver bullet: Patterns of macrosynteny recapitulate systemic conflicts in the higher-level relationships of the arachnids

The paper uses genomic data to investigate arachnid phylogeny, finding that ancient whole genome duplications and fusion-with-mixing events do not resolve conflicts in higher-level relationships.

Developmental system drift in the patterning of the arthropod tarsus

This study investigates the functional role of clawless in harvestman tarsus development and suggests developmental system drift in arthropod appendage patterning.

The genome of a sea spider corroborates a shared Hox cluster motif in arthropods with reduced posterior tagma

This paper presents the first near chromosome-level genome of a sea spider, revealing a single Hox cluster without abdominal-A/Hox9, supporting shared evolutionary patterns in arthropods.

A chromosome-level genome of the giant vinegaroon Mastigoproctus giganteus exhibits the signature of pre-Silurian whole genome duplication

This paper presents the first chromosome-level genome assembly of Mastigoproctus giganteus, revealing evidence of an ancient whole genome duplication.

A novel expression domain of extradenticle underlies the evolutionary developmental origin of the chelicerate patella

The paper identifies a novel expression domain of extradenticle in harvestman patella, suggesting that modification of an ancient gene, not neofunctionalization of a new copy, underlies the origin of the chelicerate patella.

The rediscovery of a relict unlocks the first global phylogeny of whip spiders (Amblypygi)

The paper describes the discovery of a new species of Paleoamblypygi and uses it to generate the first molecular phylogeny of whip spiders, showing the importance of relict taxa in divergence time estimation.

Dual functions of labial resolve the Hox logic of chelicerate head segments

The paper investigates the function of Hox genes lab and Dfd in chelicerates, showing their role in head segment patterning and homeotic transformations through RNAi experiments and expression analysis.

The genome of a daddy-long-legs (Opiliones) illuminates the evolution of arachnid appendages and chelicerate genome architecture

This study presents the genome of a daddy-long-legs and investigates appendage development through functional experiments, revealing conserved and coopted roles of Egfr in leg patterning across arthropods.

The evolution of Sox gene repertoires and regulation of segmentation in arachnids

This study examines Sox gene repertoires and regulation of segmentation in arachnids, finding Sox21b-1 plays distinct roles in prosomal and opisthosomal segmentation.

How spiders make their eyes: Systemic paralogy and function of retinal determination network homologs in arachnids

The paper investigates the genetic basis of eye development and reduction in arachnids, identifying duplicated RDGN homologs and showing that soA is necessary for eye development across arachnid species.

Genomic resources and toolkits for developmental study of whip spiders (Amblypygi) provide insights into arachnid genome evolution and antenniform leg patterning

This study establishes genomic resources for whip spiders and shows they share a genome duplication with spiders and scorpions, while characterizing the genetic basis of antenniform leg development.

The house spider genome reveals an ancient whole-genome duplication during arachnid evolution

The paper analyzes the house spider genome to identify an ancient whole-genome duplication shared by spiders and scorpions, distinct from horseshoe crab duplications.